Renee Good’s Brothers Testify on ICE Shooting at Hearing

Brothers of Renee Good and other witnesses told lawmakers in Washington about assaults and shootings by ICE agents. The hearing came after Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen from Minneapolis, was shot dead on January 7 while driving home with her wife. They described a pattern of rough encounters with federal officers sent to the city.

Background

Renee Good was driving her maroon Honda Pilot in south Minneapolis around 9:30 a.m. after dropping her 6-year-old son at school. She had moved to the city recently with her family. Good worked as a legal observer watching federal actions in the area. She was not a target for arrest.

ICE agents approached her vehicle on a residential street. Video shows one agent speaking to her through the window. Others stood nearby. An agent told her to get out of the car and reached for the door. The SUV backed up, then moved forward. An agent stepped in front, then fired shots. Good was hit four times: twice in the chest, once in the arm, and once in the head. She crashed into another car and died at a hospital.

Federal officials said the agent acted in self-defense. They claimed Good tried to run over agents. The agent suffered internal bleeding, but details on his injuries are limited. Witnesses question if the agent was hit by the car. Videos show him moving to the side as he fired.

This happened during a surge of about 2,000 federal agents to Minneapolis-St. Paul. The Trump administration sent them to handle immigration issues and a state fraud scandal. Tensions rose with protests and clashes. A vigil for Good drew a big crowd that night. Demonstrations spread to other cities.

Good's family learned of her death later that morning. Her mother said Good was probably scared and not part of any protest. A former neighbor from Kansas City remembered her as part of a loving family that left Missouri in late 2024. The neighbor thought they moved to Canada over politics.

Key Details

Hearing Testimony

Good's brothers spoke at the Capitol Hill hearing. They described the shooting and other incidents. One brother said agents treated citizens like threats without cause. Others at the hearing shared stories of aggressive stops and use of force.

One witness, a mother of six, drove her family home from basketball practice. They got caught between protesters and agents. Agents yelled at her to move, then released tear gas under her car. It exploded, lifting the vehicle. Strangers helped her family out. Her 6-month-old baby was unresponsive with foam at the mouth. She gave him mouth-to-mouth and CPR.

Another person said agents dragged them out, put them in a headlock, and ignored claims of U.S. citizenship. Agents said ID did not matter. This came after vandals damaged a federal vehicle.

Lawmakers heard about arrests at a Target store. Two workers, both U.S. citizens, were detained. A state lawmaker confirmed their status.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension started investigating with the FBI but pulled out. They said federal authorities limited access to evidence. The Congressional Equality Caucus, made up of openly LGBTQI+ representatives, called Good a wife, mother, poet, singer, and citizen. They demanded a full investigation.

Firefighters and paramedics found Good unresponsive with multiple gunshot wounds. 911 calls captured the chaos right after.

"What happened to Renee is wrong, contrary to established policing practices and procedures, and should have never happened in today's America." – Lawyers who represented George Floyd's family

Good left behind a wife, three children, and extended family. Her father said the youngest child has support and will be cared for.

What This Means

The hearing brought attention to clashes between federal agents and locals. Congressional Democrats promised justice for U.S. citizens harmed in these encounters. They said people deserve peace.

Protests continue in Minneapolis with more confrontations. President Trump said he might use the Insurrection Act to control violence. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem backed the agent's actions.

Good's death as a legal observer raised questions about federal operations in cities. Families worry about daily life turning dangerous. Her Instagram bio called her a poet, writer, wife, and mom experiencing Minneapolis. Now, her story fuels debate on agent conduct and citizen safety.

Lawyers for George Floyd's family took up her case, pointing to policing issues. The community holds vigils and marches. Federal surges aim to enforce laws, but locals report fear in neighborhoods. Hearings like this one give voices to those affected. Agents face scrutiny over force used on citizens. Investigations drag on with limited state input. Families wait for answers on why routine drives end in tragedy.